A neighbor tried to rescue 67-year-old Laverne Smith but was pushed back by the fire.

The fire occurred at Southwood Gardens Apartments at Dean Road and Cedar Creek. It is as an apartment complex for residents 55 and older.

Killed was Laverne Smith, 67.

Neighbor Jim Black said he heard Smith screaming and tried to crawl through the apartment to get to her.

"I had to give up because the smoke was too much," Black said.

The apartment manager said Smith had been home from the hospital about three weeks. She was cooking breakfast for herself when the fire happened about 9:20 a.m.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.